Frequent reactivations of anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B in patients with no demonstrable HBV DNA in serum by polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The present study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic significance of the absence of serum HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after spontaneous HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion and concurrent or subsequent biochemical remission.

METHODS:

We prospectively investigated the reactivation rates in 28 chronic hepatitis B patients according to the positive or negative serum HBV DNA test by PCR. The sera drawn at a mean period of 4.4 months after normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analyzed by PCR-Southern blot hybridization to detect HBV DNA, and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (n = 14) or absence (n = 14) of HBV DNA in the sera.

RESULTS:

The cumulative reactivation rates in patients with HBV DNA in sera were 43%, 57%, 57%, 57% and 57% at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year after normalization of ALT, respectively, and those in patients without demonstrable HBV DNA were 50%, 66%, 74%, 74% and 83%, respectively; thus, the difference in the cumulative reactivation rates between patients with and without serum HBV DNA was not statistically significant (p = 0.79), and irrespective of the status of HBV DNA in sera by PCR, reactivations occurred very rarely after 2 years of a sustained remission.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that the seroconversion to anti-HBe accompanied by disappearance of serum HBV DNA even by PCR does not necessarily suggest a sustained remission of chronic hepatitis B.

• Authors: H S Lee, J H Yoon, C Y Kim
• Journal: The Korean journal of internal medicine (Korean J Intern Med) Vol. 10 Issue 2 Pg. 103-7 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 1226-3303 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 7495767 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B e Antigens

Topics

• Adult
• Chronic Disease
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Female
• Hepatitis B (immunology, virology)
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (immunology)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Prospective Studies
• Virus Activation